Bintan Resorts is gearing up to intensify its focus on the Indian market in 2026, building on a successful year that saw over 13,000 Indian travellers discover the Indonesian island destination between January and November 2025.
The integrated resort destination, located on Bintan Island in Indonesia’s Riau Islands, has emerged as an increasingly popular choice for Indian travellers seeking accessible, experience-rich getaways. The destination’s proximity to Singapore and newly expanded connectivity through Malaysia have played crucial roles in attracting visitors from India.
Strategic Connectivity Drives Growth
Bintan’s appeal lies partly in its ease of access. The destination is just a 60-minute catamaran ferry ride from Singapore, while a newly introduced direct ferry service connects Pasir Gudang Ferry Terminal in Johor Bahru, Malaysia to Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal in approximately 90 minutes. Direct flights from Jakarta to Tanjung Pinang and Batam Island provide additional access points for travellers.
This multi-route connectivity has resonated strongly with Indian travellers looking for efficient island escapes without extensive travel time or complex logistics.
Diverse Experiences Beyond the Beach
Throughout 2025, Indian visitors engaged with Bintan across multiple travel segments. Family holidays, leisure breaks, and wellness-focused escapes saw consistent demand, with the destination’s integrated resort zones and purpose-built leisure infrastructure eliminating the need for extensive internal travel.
The island’s 23 world-class resorts along the northern coastline, complemented by four golf courses designed by renowned architects, spa and wellness offerings, water sports, and curated activities, have positioned Bintan as more than just a conventional beach destination.
Experience-led travel emerged as a defining trend in 2025. Bintan’s signature IP events – including the Mandiri Bintan Marathon, sailing regattas, the BRAVE music festival, Bintan Triathlon, and wellness retreats – attracted travellers seeking immersive and active holidays that align with shorter travel windows preferred by Indian visitors.
India as a Priority Market
Mr. Abdul Wahab, Chief Operating Officer of Bintan Resorts, emphasized the destination’s commitment to the Indian market. “India continues to be a priority market for Bintan. We are seeing interest across leisure, FIT, group travel, MICE and destination weddings. Our focus is to build relevance across all segments while ensuring ease of access, strong infrastructure and diverse experiences for Indian travellers,” he said.
2026 Strategy: Deeper Engagement
Looking ahead to 2026, Bintan Resorts plans to deepen its engagement with Indian travellers through targeted collaborations, enhanced storytelling, and experiences designed to encourage longer stays and repeat visits. While leisure travel will remain central to the destination’s appeal, there is a sharpened focus on MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and destination weddings, supported by purpose-built venues and resort-led event infrastructure.
The destination’s strategic positioning offers Indian travellers a compelling alternative – an accessible tropical island that combines natural beauty with developed tourism infrastructure, diverse experiences, and the convenience of short travel times from major Asian hubs.
As the travel landscape continues to evolve, Bintan Resorts enters 2026 with clear objectives, reinforcing its position as an experience-driven island destination tailored to meet the diverse needs of the growing Indian outbound travel market.
